MONACA, Pa. — It was a "Party on the Plaza" at Penn State Beaver. Students sipped mocktails, snacked on nachos and learned about the dangers of drinking. Some students tested out the “drunk goggles,” which allows the wearer to feel what it is like to try to walk and navigate while intoxicated.
The annual alcohol education awareness event Wednesday, which drew more than 100 students, is one of several events and initiatives on campus run by nurse Jessica Judy that are designed to deter students from drinking.
In the past month, 49% of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 consumed alcohol, and of those students, 27% engaged in binge drinking, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The PLCB defines binge drinking as the consumption of four or more drinks in a day or more than 14 drinks per week for men, and three or more drinks in a day or seven drinks per week for women.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to teach students about the risks of underage drinking and the consequences of poor decisions regarding alcohol consumption. The obstacle course with the use of drunk goggles gives students an opportunity to see what it is like to function under the influence of alcohol in a controlled environment,” Judy said. “Many students told me they were surprised how hard it was to navigate the course with the drunk goggles. My hope is that students will learn something they can use when they are in tough decisions involving alcohol."
Judy and her student peer educator Madelyn Ronk hold pop-up alcohol education awareness events on campus. There is a display in the campus Health Services suite in the Ross Administration Building.
Ronk’s role as a student peer educator is part of a two-year program at Penn State Beaver funded by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to educate young people about the dangers of drinking.
The PLCB’s initiative aims to fund programs that discourage underage drinking, promote responsible alcohol consumption among those of legal drinking age and reduce the incidence of dangerous drinking behaviors, according to the PLCB website.
In 2024, Elizabeth Zona — a 2002 Penn State graduate who is a double board-certified physician, specializing in both anesthesiologist and addiction medicine — presented “Beyond the Buzz” to educate students about how to make informed choices and to understand the impact of alcohol.
Judy said plans are underway for more programming this year.